THREATS TO OUR THREATS TO OUR HERITAGEHERITAGE

PollutionPollution

The potential for damage to The potential for damage to historical monuments has historical monuments has already been realized. Some already been realized. Some damage, such as from wind or damage, such as from wind or rain, is unavoidable. However, rain, is unavoidable. However, pollution contributes additional pollution contributes additional risk factors that can increase the risk factors that can increase the level of destruction. The effects level of destruction. The effects may be minor, such as a may be minor, such as a blackening of the surface of blackening of the surface of monuments due to dust. Other monuments due to dust. Other impacts can have permanent impacts can have permanent consequences. For many consequences. For many historians the effect of pollution historians the effect of pollution on historical sites is a daily on historical sites is a daily battle. Acid rain and smog eat battle. Acid rain and smog eat into marble causing small holes into marble causing small holes in the stone. in the stone.

Acropolis is one of main Acropolis is one of main sites that is having this sites that is having this problem. problem.

Acid RainAcid Rain

Acid rain occurs when fossil fuel emissions Acid rain occurs when fossil fuel emissions containing sulfur dioxide combine with moisture containing sulfur dioxide combine with moisture in the air to form acidic precipitation. When in the air to form acidic precipitation. When acid rain falls on historical monuments of acid rain falls on historical monuments of limestone or marble, a chemical reaction takes limestone or marble, a chemical reaction takes place which has a corrosive effect on these place which has a corrosive effect on these structures. The reaction dissolves the material, structures. The reaction dissolves the material, leading to permanent damageleading to permanent damage

Acid rain also destroys the treesAcid rain also destroys the trees

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

According to the National Climatic Data According to the National Climatic Data Center, global temperatures have risen Center, global temperatures have risen during the past century at a rate of 0.11 during the past century at a rate of 0.11 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. The concern degrees Fahrenheit per decade. The concern with historical monuments lies in the with historical monuments lies in the temperature impacts on the chemistry. Heat temperature impacts on the chemistry. Heat acts as a catalyst, speeding the rate of acts as a catalyst, speeding the rate of chemical reactions. The fate of historical chemical reactions. The fate of historical monuments becomes more uncertain, and monuments becomes more uncertain, and the urgency to take action increases. the urgency to take action increases.

TemperatureTemperature

The temperature changes between day-The temperature changes between day-night and seasons bring about volume night and seasons bring about volume changes such as expansion and changes such as expansion and shrinking. Moreover, continuous shrinking. Moreover, continuous temperature changes cause the cracks temperature changes cause the cracks and breaks on stones as a result of the and breaks on stones as a result of the material fatigue.material fatigue.

WindWind

The seed transport and placement in the The seed transport and placement in the cavities and joints of roofs and walls by the cavities and joints of roofs and walls by the help of wind factor sometimes causes to have help of wind factor sometimes causes to have trees (fig, ailanthus etc.) grown on the facades trees (fig, ailanthus etc.) grown on the facades of many neglected historical buildings. This of many neglected historical buildings. This event accelerates the deteriorations on the event accelerates the deteriorations on the monumental buildings. Additionally, if wind monumental buildings. Additionally, if wind presents its harmful effects together with sea presents its harmful effects together with sea salts and sands, serious surface weatherings salts and sands, serious surface weatherings will be inevitable on the monumental buildings.will be inevitable on the monumental buildings.

Contributing FactorsContributing Factors

Other factors contribute to the rate of damage Other factors contribute to the rate of damage to historical monuments. An increase in to historical monuments. An increase in humidity provides the necessary environment humidity provides the necessary environment for corrosive chemical reactions in the absence for corrosive chemical reactions in the absence of rain. Likewise, changes in sun radiation can of rain. Likewise, changes in sun radiation can temporarily raise temperatures on the surface temporarily raise temperatures on the surface of monuments, mimicking the effects of global of monuments, mimicking the effects of global warming on a specific site.warming on a specific site.

The threat to Greece's The threat to Greece's ancient monuments ancient monuments comes because the state comes because the state budget for cultural budget for cultural heritage has been heritage has been slashed and there are slashed and there are fears that unprotected fears that unprotected sites could be looted or sites could be looted or ancient treasures left to ancient treasures left to crumble.crumble.

WildfiresWildfires

Forest fires are one of the most common Forest fires are one of the most common and dramatic environmental disasters in and dramatic environmental disasters in Greece. Although forests may burn due Greece. Although forests may burn due to natural causes, the experience of the to natural causes, the experience of the last decades provides evidence that the last decades provides evidence that the majority of wildfires in Greece are either majority of wildfires in Greece are either intentionally set or result from the intentionally set or result from the absence of forest management. absence of forest management.

Mediterranean forests are vulnerable to Mediterranean forests are vulnerable to fire, primarily due to the long, hot and fire, primarily due to the long, hot and dry summers, mild winters, strong dry summers, mild winters, strong winds, intense relief and flammable winds, intense relief and flammable xerophytic vegetation. These natural xerophytic vegetation. These natural factors are further exacerbated by the factors are further exacerbated by the following:following:

SewageSewage

Even though biological cleaning plants do Even though biological cleaning plants do exist. There still are many areas in exist. There still are many areas in Greece that have not been connected to Greece that have not been connected to this network. As a result industrial and this network. As a result industrial and domestic sewage end up in the sea, domestic sewage end up in the sea, polluting the environment and polluting the environment and transforming once beautiful beaches into transforming once beautiful beaches into waste dumps.waste dumps.

Foolish peopleFoolish people

Despite the environmental awareness that has Despite the environmental awareness that has been achieved to some extent in Greece it is a been achieved to some extent in Greece it is a sad fact that some citizens do not adopt such sad fact that some citizens do not adopt such practices. It is a common sight especially practices. It is a common sight especially during the summer seasons to witness during the summer seasons to witness individuals and families leaving their rubbish individuals and families leaving their rubbish behind after having spent a day at the beach or behind after having spent a day at the beach or having enjoyed the Greek countryside. having enjoyed the Greek countryside.